Aloe×Gasteria plant named ‘WT01’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Aloe×Gasteria  hybrid cultivar named ‘WT01’ is disclosed, characterized by durable foliage, resistant to breakage and a faster growth habit than similar species. The new variety is a  Aloe×Gasteria  hybrid, typically produced as an ornamental plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Aloe×Gasteria hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘WT01’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar was discovered as a seedling, resulting from theplanned crossing of an unnamed Aloe hybrid(unpatented) as the seedparent and an, unnamed, unpatented Gasteria, nitida as the pollen parent‘WT01’ was discovered by the inventor, Wander Durk Tuinier, a citizen ofthe Netherlands, in a group of seedlings resulting from theaforementioned crossing. The new variety was discovered September 2007,in a commercial greenhouse in Swellendam, South Africa.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘WT01’ was first performed inSouth Africa, in Swellendam at a commercial laboratory by tissue culturein January 2008. ‘WT01’ has since produced several generations and hasshown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable andreproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘WT01’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘WT01.’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘WT01’ as a new and distinct Aloe×Gasteriacultivar:

-   -   1. Strong, durable foliage, resistant to rot and breakage.    -   2. Fast, vigorous growth rate.

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘WT01’ are similar to plants of the unnamedseed parent variety in most horticultural characteristics. However,plants of the new cultivar ‘WT01’ produce foliage that is more resistantto rot and breakage. Additionally, the new cultivar produces a much lessregular rosette type plant shape. The new cultivar has leaves that areclose to an opposite rosetting arrangement, as compared to the whorledrosette of the seed parent.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘WT01’ are similar to plant of the unknownGasteria pollen parent in most horticultural characteristics. However,plants of the new cultivar ‘WT01’ are much faster growing than thepollen parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of ‘WT01’ can be compared to the known commercial variety, Aloearistata(unpatented). Differences are similar to those with the seedparent. ‘WT01’ produces stronger, more durable foliage than Aloearistata. Additionally, the new cultivar exhibits a more oppositerosette leaf pattern than a tightly held whorled rosette as seen in Aloearistata.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘WT01’ indoors in the Netherlands. This plant isapproximately 5 months old, shown in a 4 inch pot. The photograph wastaken using conventional techniques and although colors may appeardifferent from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurateas possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The R.H.S.Colour Chart, except where general terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used. The following observations and measurementsdescribe ‘WT01’ plants in a commercial greenhouse in Kimpen aan deIjssel, the Netherlands. Temperatures ranged from 20° C. to 22° C. nightand day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemicaltreatments were given to the plants. Measurements and numerical valuesrepresent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Aloe×Gasteria hybrid ‘WT01.’-   Age of the plant described: Approximately 5 months.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: Approximately 20 to 25 days at 21° C.-   Root description: Fibrous.-   Propagation method: Tissue culture.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Compact succulent.-   Container size: 4 inch.-   Height: Approximately 4.5 cm.-   Plant spread: Approximately 3.9 cm.-   Growth rate: Moderate to slow, approximately 0.5 cm per month.-   Branching characteristics: Non-branching, no stems or lateral    branches. To date, only a single basal rosette of leaves has been    observed.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Rosulate, simple leaf.        -   Average quantity of leaves per rosette.—Approximately 10.        -   Average length.—Approximately 4.1 cm.        -   Widest width.—Approximately 2.2 cm.        -   Height/thickness.—Approximately 0.4 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Subulate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Broad cuneate.        -   Margin.—Finely serrate.        -   Texture of top surface.—Rough, dull, non-pubescent.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Rough, dull, non-pubescent.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green N137A,            mid-section lighter; near Green 143C, base near Yellow-Green            145D. Leaf covered with axillary rows of small dots, colored            near White N155C, dots very small, average width: 0.8 mm in            diameter. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green N137A,            mid-section lighter; near Green 143C, base near Yellow-Green            145D. Leaf covered with axillary rows of small dots, colored            near White N155C, dots very small, average width: 0.8 mm in            diameter. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green N137A,            lower half near Green-White; 157B Upper half of leaf covered            with axillary rows of small dots, colored white, near N155C,            dots very small, average width: 0.8 mm in diameter. Mature            foliage under side: Near RHS Green N137A, mid-section near            Yellow-Green 146D, base Green-White 157A. Leaf covered with            axillary rows of small dots, colored white near N155C, dots            very small, average width: 0.8 mm in diameter.        -   Venation.—Veination not visible.        -   Petiole.—No petiole.-   Other characteristics: Foliage highly resistant to tearing or    breaking due to mechanical stress. No stipules, tendrils, thorns, or    spines present.

FLOWER

-   Bud production and flower production has not been observed to date.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Not observed due to lack of flower production.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    diseases or pests has been observed in this variety.-   Drought tolerance and temperature tolerance: Drought tolerant    succulent. Low temperature tolerance to at least USDA Zone 10.    Tolerates high temperature to at least 45° C.-   Fruit/seed production: Fruits and seeds have not been observed to    date.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Aloe×Gasteria hybrid plant named‘WT01’ as herein illustrated and described.